Hose coupling



Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

STATES JOHN A. MERE, on STOCKTCNQCALIFORNIAQ HOSE COUPLING.

Application filed January 2, 1923. Serial No. 610 1164,

T 0 all to hom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN A. Mnnz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, county of San Joaquin, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hose Couplings; and I do declare the following to be a full,

. clear, and exact description of the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of'this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in couplings for water hoses, such as are used for garden watering, car washing and similar purposes, the principal object of my invention being to provide a coupling by means of which a hose may be attached to or detached from the ordinary threaded water-connection, such as a bibb-cock, without turning the hose, with the use of but one hand, and with but one operation or movement.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which need not be permanently mounted on the hose, but which can be removably and readily attached to the usual female coupling member provided as standard hose equipment.

Fig. 1 is a side View of the coupling.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes the body member of the coupling, in the form of a tube, threaded as at 2 on one end to screw into the female member of the usual form of hose coupling.

Intermediate the ends of the body are lugs 3, projecting outwardly therefrom, which serve to receive the pivotal pins 4 of a pair of opposed handles 5, which preferably partially surround the body, and normally slope somewhat away therefrom at their ends adjacent the threaded portion 2.

To the opposite ends of the handles are fixed semicircular and complementary sleeve-jaws 6, tapped as at 7 to fit the usual male threads on a hydrant valve or bibb cock.

For the greater portion of their height these jaws project above the body 1, and have on the lower ends inwardly projecting and circular flanges 8, which fit and normally seati'n a guide groove 9 cut around the outer periphery of the body a short dis tance below its upper end. These co-operating flanges and groove serve to guide the jaws and insure that they properly aline with each other at all times without depending on the accuracy of fit of the pins 3.

Mounted on the upper end of the body, inside the jaws 6, is a washer 10, preferably of rubber as usual, which is held in place regardless of the movement of the jaws by means of a wire 11 projecting diametrically therethrough and then bent down on the outside thereof in slots 12 in the body 1 parallel to the axis thereof, finally turning inwardly or toward each other as at 13 and seating in holes provided therefor in the body. The slots 12 are in line with the split-line of the jaws, so as to enable the washer to be removed and replaced when worn out without removing the handles and aws. 1

Springs 14 are located between the handles and body and act to normally hold the j aws together, being held in place by the pins 4 about which they are coiled.

In operation, the device is first screwed into the female coupling member on one end of a hose. The handles 5 are then grasped. by, one hand and manipulated to open them sufficiently to slip the jaws over the threaded connection with which the coupling is to be made, meanwhile pressing the adjacent end of the body, with the washer thereon, 'into engagement with the outer end of the connection member. The handles may then be released, and the jaws closing automatically, will then closely surround and engage the threads of the connection. Should the relative positions of the threads of the connection and those of the jaws be such that a close contact between the washer and adjacent end of the connection is not had, it is only necessary to then give the coupling device a fraction of a turn to cause such contact to be made.

Uncoupling of the device may of course be done even more quickly, by again spreading the jaws and withdrawing the same from about the connection.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

\Vhile this specification sets forth in de tail the present and preferred construction 1,0 of a tubular body member, pivoted ja-W memberarranged to close around and. beyond the end of the tubular body member to engage a fluid outlet, the tubular body having longitudinal slots cut in its end to receive gasket retaining elements and maintain them clear 15 of the jaws as the latter move to closed p0- sit-ion.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOHN A. MERZ. 

